Have you ever had dreams that couldn’t have been nicer at first, but then turned into a nightmare? The same can be done with the so-called American dream («American dream») happen: In case of hardship, he turns into a American Nightmare («American Nightmare»).
American dream vs American Nightmare
American dream and American Nightmare are closely related. To understand what an «American nightmare» is, first learn about its counterpart.
Meaning of the American Dream
The core idea of American dream states that every person in the US through hard work a better life could realize. This is often indicated by the saying «From rags to riches» expressed.
Many immigrants arrive in the US with the idea that they can achieve anything they set out to do there, since no one is discriminated against on the basis of religion or origin. With courage, willpower and determination, anyone can climb the social ladder.
However, this idealized equality of opportunity and rights for all residents of the USA does not correspond to reality.
For more information, please read the explanation of the «American Dream».
Meaning of the American Nightmare
Many people who immigrate to the USA primarily see the positive aspects, such as supposedly quick wealth or equal opportunities for everyone. They all want a better life and are sure they can achieve it in America – the land of opportunity.
But many immigrants have found that their dreams have failed. Living as a stranger in a new country without speaking the language, finding a job or a home – without ever really arriving – can become a nightmare, the so-called American Nightmaremutate.
Under the term American Nightmare summarizes all the negative aspects related to the American dream stand. He also designates the default of American dream.
But how does this manifest itself in the reality of many people? In what situations can one American Nightmare speak?
equal opportunity
Of the American dream is not tangible for many people in the USA, since equal opportunities do not exist in many areas of society, such as in education. This is an American nightmare, especially for children from low-income families: Through the missing financial support their families, young people can hardly continue their education. Without the right education, they are rarely able to escape poverty. So they don’t get the same opportunities as children from more affluent families.
War
Many US military personnel have also experienced or are experiencing one American Nightmare. They went into various conflicts, such as the Vietnam War, with the idea of serving their country. However, some veterans live with us to this day injuries, depression and trauma, which they contracted there.
Of the Vietnam War was fought between 1955 and 1975 between the communist north and the capitalist south of Vietnam to decide who would take power if the country was reunified. The USA supported the South Vietnamese with weapons and armed forces. Ultimately, however, they lost the war. This defeat marks the first military failure in American history.
immigrants
Many immigrant people come to the United States hoping to find a better life, a fulfilling job, and a steady salary. But this wish does not always come true. Instead, they experience one American Nightmare: Immigrants often work in bad paying jobs or are exploited and therefore often cannot free themselves from poverty.
American Nightmare in movies
Just like him American dream will he too American Nightmare taken up in numerous films and presented in a figurative sense. They show that the USA is not only a country full of luxury and glory, but also sheds light on it from a different angle and wants to draw attention to the negative aspects in the country.
Here are some examples of these films:
- «selma»
- «Hacksaw Ridge»
- «Casualties of War»
- «Killer of Sheep»
- «Critical Care»
- «American Nightmare»
- «Texas Chain Saw Massacre»
«American Nightmare»
American Nightmare is a 1983 Canadian horror film produced by director Don McBrearty. The film takes place in the USA and is about the renowned pianist Eric, who goes in search of his sister Isabelle. The two hadn’t been in contact for years until he received a letter from her. In this Isabelle describes how anxious she is. Eventually it turns out that she worked as a sex worker and stripper and was murdered.
«The Texas Chain Saw Massacre»
This is also a horror film. It dates from 1974 and was produced and directed by Tobe Hooper. The film is about the five young people Pam, Kirk, Franklin, Jerry and Sally. While searching for the home of Sally and Franklin’s grandparents in Texas, they fall to a family of cannibals to the victim. Sally is the only one who can escape them alive.
A cannibal or cannibal is someone who eats the flesh of other people.
The films «The Texas Chain Saw Massacre» and «American Nightmare» allude to the high crime rate in the USA. Many crimes go undetected or unprosecuted, so many criminals never face the consequences of their actions.
Documentary «The American Nightmare»
In addition to the two fictions already mentioned, there is one documentarywho is more concerned with the American Nightmare and its scenic representation.
In it, seven directors of well-known horror films from the 1960s and 1970s are interviewed. George A. Romero, John Carpenter, John Landis, Tom Savini, David Cronenberg, Wes Craven, and Tobe Hooper share what their works are meant to allude to.
In the further course of the film, the two film researchers Adam Lowenstein and Carol Clover try to interpret the psychological effect of the individual horror films on the viewers. Some excerpts are taken up again and shown. Be mentioned:
- «An American Werewolf in London» by John Landis
- «The Texas Chain Saw Massacre» by Tobe Hooper
- «Night of the Living Dead» by George A Romero
- «Halloween» by John Carpenter
- «The Last House on the Left» by Wes Craven
- «Dawn of the Dead» by George A Romero
- «The Wolf Man» by George Waggner
- «Son of Frankenstein» by Rowland V Lee
- «Wampyr» by George A. Romero
- «Shivers» by David Cronenberg
Parallels are also drawn between the plots of the horror films and historical events in the USA in the documentary. Especially the Vietnam War and Attacks on public figures are an issue.
American Nightmare – The Most Important
- Of the American Nightmare denotes the non-fulfillment of the American dream.
- Many people immigrate to the United States seeking a better life, equal opportunity, and fame. But some then find that their dreams have failed.
- Living as a stranger in a new country without speaking the language, finding a job or a home straight away – so without ever really arriving – can become a nightmare that American Nightmaremutate.
- Various films have dealt with the American Nightmare, including «Selma», «American Nightmare» and «Texas Chain Saw Massacre».